a·poph·a·sis ( -p f -s s)n. Allusion to something by denying that it will be mentioned, as in I will not bring up my opponent's questionable financial dealings. [Late Latin, from Greek, from apophanai, to say no : apo-, apo- + phanai, to say; see bh  -2 in Indo-European roots.] |
apophasis [əˈpɒfəsɪs]
n
(Literature / Rhetoric) Rhetoric the device of mentioning a subject by stating that it will not be mentioned I shall not discuss his cowardice or his treachery
[via Latin from Greek: denial, from apo- + phanai to say]
apophasis
a spoken or written figure in which an assertion is made in the midst of a denial, as in Mark Antony’s funeral speech for Caesar. Also called paralipsis. — apophasic, adj.
See also: Rhetoric and Rhetorical Devicesapophasis - Mentioning a subject by saying one is not going to mention it.
See also related terms for mention.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. | apophasis - mentioning something by saying it will not be mentioned rhetorical device - a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance) |
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